Shelly's Recipe

MEATY LASAGANA-STYLE CASSEROLE

Category: Pasta - Baked

1 lb uncooked penne pasta or ziti
1-1/2 lbs ground beef or Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp crushed red chili flakes (adjust to heat level)
2 (26-oz) jars marinara sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
6 slices provolone cheese (or use as much as you like)
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

In a Dutch oven cook the meat with onion, garlic and chili flakes until no longer pink; drain fat leaving a small amount in the pot. Continue to cook until the meat is just lightly browned (this may take about 12-15 minutes for the meat to brown). Add in marinara sauce; bring to a simmer stirring then reduce heat to low and simmer partially covered for about 30 minutes stirring frequently and seasoning with salt and pepper about halfway through cooking time.

Meanwhile cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until just al dente (it is better to undercook the pasta slightly as it will cook more in the oven) drain and place in a bowl.

To assemble: Place 1/2 of the cooked penne pasta into the bottom of the baking dish. Place the provolone slices over pasta, then spread 1-1/2 cups sour cream over the cheese slices. Dollop 1/2 of the meat sauce over the sour cream, then remaining half of the cooked penne pasta over the sour cream. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the cooked pasta.

Top with remaining 1/2 of the meat sauce and sprinkle with additional cheese on top. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the meat sauce.

Layer as follows starting with 1/2 cooked penne in the bottom of the dish/ provolone cheese slices/ 1-1/2 cups sour cream/ 1/2 meat sauce/ remaining 1/2 cooked penne/ mozzarella cheese/ remaining 1/2 meat sauce, then Parmesan cheese on top. Bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes or until heated through.